Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) exhibit limited ability to develop heat resistance

Abstract

The global population growth of the bed bug, Cimex lectularius (L.), is attributed to their cryptic behavior, diverse insecticide resistance mechanisms, and lack of public awareness. Bed bug control can be challenging and typically requires chemical and non-chemical treatments. One common non-chemical method for bed bug management is thermal remediation. However, in certain instances, bed bugs are known to survive heat treatments. Bed bugs may be present after a heat treatment due to (i) abiotic factors associated with the inability to achieve lethal temperatures in harborage areas for a sufficient time period, (ii) re-infestation from insects that escaped to cooler areas during a heat treatment or (iii) development of physiological resistance that allows them to survive heat exposure. Previous research has investigated the optimal temperature and exposure time required for either achieving complete mortality or sublethally affecting their growth and development. However, no research has examined bed bug populations for their ability to develop resistance to heat exposure and variation in thermo-tolerance between different bed bug strains. The goals of this study were: i) to determine if bed bugs could be selected for heat resistance under a laboratory selection regime, and ii) to determine if bed bug populations with various heat exposure histories, insecticide resistance profiles, and geographic origins have differential temperature tolerances using two heat exposure techniques (step-function and ramp-function). Selection experiments found an initial increase in bed bug survivorship; however, survivorship did not increase past the fourth generation. Sublethal exposure to heat significantly reduced bed bug feeding and, in some cases, inhibited development. The step-function exposure technique revealed non-significant variation in heat tolerance between populations and the ramp-function exposure technique provided similar results. Based on these study outcomes, the ability of bed bugs to develop heat resistance appears to be limited.

Characterization of heat exposure‐associated escape behaviors and HSP gene expression in bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.)

“…Similarly, it has been shown that adult bed bugs can survive short duration heat exposure at 45.0 °C, but if the exposure period is increased, complete mortality can be achieved. 7,8 Heat can also quickly cause mortality in bed bugs on the exterior of luggage, with high levels of control being achieved in 6 min at 75.0 °C. 9 Also, bed bugs that have fed more recently are able to tolerate higher temperatures, as it has been shown that physiological death occurs at 44.1 °C in insects starved for 21 days, but bed bugs that were starved for 9 days were able to survive until 45.2 °C.…”

“…10 Heat is used for bed bug control because it is lethal to insecticide resistant populations, can be used in sensitive areas where pesticides cannot be applied and when deployed properly, high temperatures can kill all bed bugs harboring in cryptic locations within a domicile. [6][7][8][9][10] There are three different ways that heat is used for bed bug control: (i) steam (~100.0 °C) can be applied topically to bed bug containing furniture, [5][6][7][8][11][12][13][14] (ii) bed bug harboring items can be heated in compartmentalized units or tents (> 50.0 °C), 9 or (iii) entire apartments or homes infested with bed bugs can be heat treated (> 50.0 °C). [5][6][7][8][11][12][13] During a commercial whole domicile heat treatment, heated air (~60.0 °C) is circulated to raise and maintain temperatures at or above 50.0 °C for at least 6 to 8 h to ensure an even temperature distribution and cause complete mortality of all bed bug life stages.…”

“…[6][7][8][9][10] There are three different ways that heat is used for bed bug control: (i) steam (~100.0 °C) can be applied topically to bed bug containing furniture, [5][6][7][8][11][12][13][14] (ii) bed bug harboring items can be heated in compartmentalized units or tents (> 50.0 °C), 9 or (iii) entire apartments or homes infested with bed bugs can be heat treated (> 50.0 °C). [5][6][7][8][11][12][13] During a commercial whole domicile heat treatment, heated air (~60.0 °C) is circulated to raise and maintain temperatures at or above 50.0 °C for at least 6 to 8 h to ensure an even temperature distribution and cause complete mortality of all bed bug life stages. 6 Considering the preparation, actual treatment and cleanup steps, a properly implemented heat treatment can last for an entire day.…”

Sex differences in bedbug nymphs, Cimex lectularius

“…Such efforts include research that requires the laboratory breeding of thousands of animals not only for testing insecticides and critical temperatures (e.g. Ashbrook, Scharf, Bennett, & Gondhalekar, 2017, 2019; Gaire, Scharf, & Gondhalekar, 2019; Puckett, McDonald, & Gold, 2013; Romero, Potter, Potter, & Haynes, 2007), reviewed by Hase, 1930; Usinger, 1966; Feldlaufer, O'Connor, & Ulrich, 2018) but also for screening for novel control targets such as symbionts (Balvín, Roth, Talbot, & Reinhardt, 2018; Goodman, 2018), neuropeptides (Predel, Neupert, Derst, Reinhardt, & Wegener, 2018) or communication molecules (Gries, Zhai, Lewis, Britton, & Gries, 2018). All these targets are closely linked to the two major aspects that alter bedbug physiology, feeding and mating.…”

Methods for Testing Repellents Against Bed Bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

“…Eradication of a bed bug infestation requires integrated pest management (IPM) that considers all available pest control techniques. Bed bug management may include the use of insecticides, desiccant dust, heat, freezing techniques, mechanical removal, and monitoring ( Pereira et al 2009 , Kells and Goblirsch 2011 , Koganemaru and Miller 2013 , Romero et al 2017 , Lee et al 2018 , Ashbrook et al 2019 ). Prevention should be an integral part of IPM, which involves education, creating bed bug unfriendly surroundings, informing staff and travelers, specific luggage storage, and in some cases, the use of repellent products ( Singh et al 2014 , Romero et al 2017 ).…”